Filipino food has been influenced by Spanish, American and Chinese cuisines, not to mention neighboring countries in Southeast Asia with an enjoyable blend of flavors. Macau is home to many Filipino expats and families. We all know one of the easiest ways to battle homesickness is through food, so read on and find out all their cool ingredients and dishes available at Filipino restaurants across town.
There’s a very popular area in Macau’s own São Lourenço street, known as the “Pinoy street”, just a few minutes walk away from Senado Square. You can start your dining hunt with some of our restaurant suggestions above. In the meantime, here are five interesting Filipino dishes you absolutely must try in the neighborhood and the corners behind Rua da Felicidade. We’d also like to recommend that all dishes and viands are accompanied by rice for a true Pinoy dining experience.
Also read: 5 Filipino Eateries to Try in Macau
Pinakbet/Pakbet
(See featured image above)
Originating from the Northern Region of the Philippines, Pinakbet or Pakbet (bottom right of above photo) is a dish of mixed vegetables, like bitter gourd, long beans, okra, eggplant, squash, and sometimes sweet potato along with sautéed fish sauce and shrimp paste, meat is optional in this dish. Definitely a healthier option on the menu.
Sarimanok 78A Rua da Alfândega, Edifício Luen Mei Rc., Macau, +853 6228 6989
Luthong Bahay – Chinoy Express 146 Rua da Alfândega, G/F Pou Iek Building, Macau, +853 6293 3532, www.facebook.com/Chinoy-Express
Avilandia Cafe Ltd 25–29 Rua da Alfândega, G/F 2, Hung Tak Building, Macau, +853 6255 5398, www.facebook.com/AvilandiaCafe
Dinuguan
“Don’t ask questions, just eat!” a phrase you would always hear when it comes to eating dinuguan, a delicious yet unique savory dish with a combination taste of sweetness and sour. This viand can be spicy depending on the cook. It is traditionally cooked with pork meat and offal simmered in pork’s blood with garlic, chili, and a touch of vinegar. Partner this daring dish with rice or puto, the Philippines’ well-known rice cake.
Sarimanok 78A Rua da Alfândega, Edifício Luen Mei Rc., Macau, +853 6228 6989
Avilandia Cafe Ltd 25–29 Rua da Alfândega, G/F 2, Hung Tak Building, Macau, +853 6255 5398, www.facebook.com/AvilandiaCafe
Luthong Bahay – Chinoy Express 146 Rua da Alfândega, G/F Pou Iek Building, Macau, +853 6293 3532, www.facebook.com/Chinoy-Express
Lily’s Kitchen 16A Calçada Do Gamboa, G/F, Chun Ieng Kuck Building, Macau, +853 28933864, +853 28939714, www.facebook.com/lilys
Papaitan/Pinapaitan
Papaitan or Pinapaitan translates to the word “bitter” from the word “pait”. An exotic dish to some foreigners but not for Pinoys. Made from beef or lamb innards having a spicy, sour, and of course bitter aftertaste this soup is certainly refreshing in a way and is a great hangover food. We were told that having a sip of this soup when drunk will make you feel alive and ready to drink the whole night! Be sure to have this soup hot and experience the intensity of its flavors.
Lily’s Kitchen 16A Calçada Do Gamboa, G/F, Chun Ieng Kuck Building, Macau, +853 28933864, +853 28939714, www.facebook.com/lilys
Sarimanok 78A Rua da Alfândega, Edifício Luen Mei Rc., Macau, +853 6228 6989
Luthong Bahay – Chinoy Express 146 Rua da Alfândega, G/F Pou Iek Building, Macau, +853 6293 3532, www.facebook.com/Chinoy-Express
Avilandia Cafe Ltd 25–29 Rua da Alfândega, G/F 2, Hung Tak Building, Macau, +853 6255 5398, www.facebook.com/AvilandiaCafe
Kare kare
One of the many comfort foods of the Philippines, with so many stories around the origin of the name and its evolution from kari-kaari, then curry, and now kare kare. Having similar characteristics to curry, kare kare isn’t spicy at all. Oxtail, pork hocks, and feet stew are cooked with a thick creamy peanut sauce and accompanied with green beans, eggplant, and sometimes cabbage. For a hint of spice, green or red chilies can be added. Don’t forget the number one essential when it comes to eating this savory dish–shrimp paste. Great wonders happen when these two collide.
Luthong Bahay – Chinoy Express 146 Rua da Alfândega, G/F Pou Iek Building, Macau, +853 6293 3532, www.facebook.com/Chinoy-Express
Lily’s Kitchen 16A Calçada Do Gamboa, G/F, Chun Ieng Kuck Building, Macau, +853 28933864, +853 28939714, www.facebook.com/lilys
Sarimanok 78A Rua da Alfândega, Edifício Luen Mei Rc., Macau, +853 6228 6989
Avilandia Cafe Ltd 25–29 Rua da Alfândega, G/F 2, Hung Tak Building, Macau, +853 6255 5398, www.facebook.com/AvilandiaCafe
Ginataang Bilo Bilo
It also translates to sticky rice balls in coconut milk, this a famous snack for Filipinos. Made with glutinous or sticky rice balls with bananas, sweet potatoes, or purple yam, and tapioca balls boiled together with coconut milk. To make it more special, jackfruit is frequently added and is served either hot or cold. But personally, we enjoyed it best warm! This afternoon snack definitely fills you up with the sticky rice balls alone. A must-try treat for anyone with a sweet tooth.
Luthong Bahay – Chinoy Express 146 Rua da Alfândega, G/F Pou Iek Building, Macau, +853 6293 3532, www.facebook.com/Chinoy-Express
Lily’s Kitchen 16A Calçada Do Gamboa, G/F, Chun Ieng Kuck Building, Macau, +853 28933864, +853 28939714, www.facebook.com/lilys
Sarimanok 78A Rua da Alfândega, Edifício Luen Mei Rc., Macau, +853 6228 6989
Avilandia Cafe Ltd 25–29 Rua da Alfândega, G/F 2, Hung Tak Building, Macau, +853 6255 5398, www.facebook.com/AvilandiaCafe
Also read: Top To-Try Filipino Desserts In Macau
This article was originally written by Hannah Estenilo in December 2017 and updated by Leonor Sá Machado in April 2021.
